Turkvision – Turkey launches new contest

As previously reported HERE, Turkey will most likely not return to the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest citing dissatisfaction with the jury system as well as the existence of the Big 5.

The Turkish broadcaster officially launched “Turkvision” (Türkvızyon) on September 21st, 2013, it is branded as a music contest for Eurasian countries. The signing ceremony was attended by Ell & Nikki who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 for Azerbaijan with their entry “Running Scared”.

The concept is similar to the European version with countries competing in a contest style, with Semis and an actual Final and proper Results & Ranking.

However Education Minister Nabi Avcı is is stressing the point that Turkvision is NOT an alternative to ESC and that it would be part Turkic world cultural capital event.“Turkvision does not need to be compared to Eurovision. It will have its place in the Turkic world with its own brand value. Whether we participate or not in Eurovision, I hope that Turkvision will move forward in its own path, growing and expanding year-by-year,”

He continued saying that “This project is part of the Turkic world cultural capital event. Hopefully, the next towns selected as the ‘cultural capitals’ “.

20 countries as well as autonomic regions populated with Turkic minorities will take part in the contest hoested on an annual basis.

The Semi Finals will take place between December 19th and 21st with the Final show scheduled for Dec 23rd. Out of the 20 participating countries/regions only twelve will move on to the Finals. The cultural capital flag is carried this year by Eskişehir.

Azerbaijan has already revealed that Tunzala Agayeva will participate in the “Turkvision – 2013” Song Contest in Turkey for them.

Despite Avcı’s statement, many observers and fans see this as a protest against the European version which has become the biggest non sporting event in the world.